Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made an aerial survey of the Doklam-Nathula area on the Sino-India border today. Her visit comes a day after the government said the status quo at the site has not changed since the disengagement on the 28th of August. Sikkim government officials said the Defence Minister also made a survey of the new Pakyong Airport in East Sikkim and neighbouring areas this afternoon.

Sitharaman is on a day-long visit to Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim today. Sitharaman is scheduled to meet Sikkim Governor Sriniwas Patil and Chief Minister Pawan Chamling at the Raj Bhavan. Officials said they are likely to discuss several issues related to defence in the border areas with China